Travel technology forum

Unlocking Phone

Phiddy

Joined Travelfish1st December, 2011Posts: 64

I have an iPhone 4 which I plan on taking with me to SE Asia, I've seen a lot on here about making sure phones are unlocked, how do I find out if mine has been unlocked? And if it is should I / how do I unlock it? I will probably take it with me anyway even if I don't unlock it as I use it for taking photos sometimes and can use it to access wifi, although it will be pretty pointless if I can't make calls with it. Ta

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DLuek

Where did you buy your iPhone? If US, Canada, Japan, or Korea it is most likely locked. If it's from US you might be able to unlock it, depends on which company you got it from (if AT&T you should be able to unlock it, if Verizon - nope). If you bought the phone without going through a service provider it will definitely be unlocked. I'm pretty sure you can avoid unlocking any iPhone and still making it work by using a Still Sim along with a normal micro SIM. This is what they did for me at MBK in Bangkok when I got here for my iPhone 4 from AT&T (I'm actually not sure if Verizon iPhones can work with Still Sim or not)... Still Sim works pretty well overall, although it can be a pain to turn the phone back on if it gets switched off.

Phiddy

Joined Travelfish1st December, 2011Posts: 64

Well I come from the UK so it should be unlocked. Actually on previous trips abroad the phone automatically used the local networks, does this mean that it is unlocked or do all phones do this? Thanks for the advice

sayadian

Joined Travelfish15th January, 2008Posts: 1557

Phiddy'on previous trips abroad the phone automatically used the local networks'
That's Roaming and usually costs a lot more than a local SIM.
I thought most phones in UK were locked to a network.
You can have your phone unlocked in Asia relatively cheaply but remember it voids your guarantee.
Dluek
What is a STILL SIM?
I hate to add this but from my experience i-phones are heavily targetted by thieves in parts of S.E.Asia so keep it zipped in your pocket and NEVER leave it lying on a table.

pucca_girl45

Joined Travelfish4th November, 2012Posts: 8

Hi
does anyone know where a reliable place to go in BKK to unlock an ATT iphone 4 and get a SIM card to use for international and local calls? how much does something like that typically cost? I have an ATT iphone 4 that is not in use and I'd like to take it with me to use for wifi, making calls, and taking photos while i'm there.

cbg0927

Pucca_girl45 - I don't have experience getting an iPhone unlocked in Bangkok, however I purchased a factory unlock code on eBay for about $6 USD and it worked perfectly on my iPhone 4s. Make sure you purchase from a seller with good reviews though, sometimes the codes can be half-ass and only unlock your iphone until your next reboot if you purchase from a bad seller.